Israeli Army Kills Three Near Gaza Border Fence

Three Palestinians residing in Gaza were shot and killed by the Israeli army on Sunday, April 16, after approaching the border fence between the strip and southern Israel. Hours earlier, six Hamas members were killed in an explosion in Gaza City, which Hamas attributed to Israel. According to reports, Palestinian sources claim that Israeli soldiers opened fire on three 'innocent' young Palestinians near the Gaza border, killing them. The Israeli army confirmed the deaths of these three Palestinians, stating that a group of four Palestinians, armed with 'cold weapons,' was attempting to cross the border fence, which posed a threat to the security of southern Israeli residents and soldiers stationed at the border. The Israeli army claimed to have shot the 'assailants' who had 'malicious intent,' killing three of them. An Israeli army spokesperson also released a photo of an axe and a wrench found among the belongings of the three deceased Palestinians as evidence of their 'malicious intent.' However, some Palestinian sources alleged that the three young men were attempting to cross the border out of unemployment and lack of income, apparently with the intention of stealing from nearby Israelis. On Saturday evening, Palestinian media reported that six Palestinians were killed in a 'heavy explosion' in Gaza City; Hamas later referred to the deceased as 'martyrs of resistance' and confirmed their membership in the military wing's intelligence section. Hamas's statement indicated that the explosion occurred while they were monitoring 'one of the most dangerous Israeli espionage schemes.' Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, attended the funeral of the six killed in the explosion on Sunday, stating that they had uncovered 'the enemy's complex intelligence operations.' Haniyeh vowed for Hamas to take 'heavy revenge' on Israel. Israel has stated that it had 'no role' in the explosion in Gaza City. However, the Israeli army separately confirmed its airstrikes on a 'Hamas base' in northern Gaza on Saturday night, stating that this base had played a logistical role in the recent protests at the Gaza-Israel borders. The addition of nine more Palestinian deaths within less than a day comes as Palestinians prepare for intensified protests at the Gaza-Israel borders in the coming days. Supported by Hamas, the 'Return' protests have been ongoing for several weeks along the Gaza-Israel borders, particularly escalating tensions every Friday. Including the latest deaths, since the beginning of the 'Return' protests on 'Land Day' until early Sunday, 54 Palestinians have been killed and over eight thousand injured. Palestinians have stated that they will hold a major protest on May 15, which they refer to as 'Nakba Day,' marking the anniversary of Israel's establishment. Tensions between Israel and Palestinians have escalated as Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has again suggested that he may personally attend the ceremony for the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem on May 13. Meanwhile, Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Defense Minister, and Zeev Elkin, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, rejected reports in American and Israeli media regarding a new Washington plan to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians.